US6213674B1 - Ball joint for a cable - Google Patents

Ball joint for a cable Download PDF

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Publication number
US6213674B1
US6213674B1 US09/375,155 US37515599A US6213674B1 US 6213674 B1 US6213674 B1 US 6213674B1 US 37515599 A US37515599 A US 37515599A US 6213674 B1 US6213674 B1 US 6213674B1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cable
hollow shaft
guide member
retainer
cubic body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/375,155
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gen Sasaki
Makoto Fujino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Minebea Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Minebea Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minebea Co Ltd filed Critical Minebea Co Ltd
Assigned to MINEBEA CO., LTD. reassignment MINEBEA CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FUJINO, MAKOTO, SASAKI, GEN
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6213674B1 publication Critical patent/US6213674B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C1/00—Flexible shafts; Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing
    • F16C1/26—Construction of guiding-sheathings or guiding-tubes
    • F16C1/262—End fittings; Attachment thereof to the sheathing or tube
    • F16C1/265—End fittings; Attachment thereof to the sheathing or tube with a swivel tube connected to the end-fitting of a sheathing, e.g. with a spherical joint
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y10T403/32672—Swiveled ball parts or seat
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20396—Hand operated
    • Y10T74/20402—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
    • Y10T74/20462—Specific cable connector or guide

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a ball joint for use in various industrial appliances, in particular, for use in a cable guide.
  • a ball joint for a cable guide is structured as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • Reference numeral 1 designates a ball joint and 2 designates a cable.
  • the ball joint 1 is interposed between a cable fixation table 3 for fixing one end of the cable and a cable supporting table 4 for supporting an intermediate portion of the cable and changing the drawn out direction approximately at 90 degrees.
  • the ball joint 1 comprises a U-letter shaped retainer 5 , a shaft 6 bridged between a pair of legs 5 a of U-letter shaped retainer, a cubic body 7 coupled rotatably with the shaft 6 and an outer ring 8 to be coupled with the cubic surface of the cubic body 7 .
  • the retainer 5 is mounted on a mounting plate 9 with a bolt 10 connected to the bottom of the leg portions 3 a of the cable fixation table 3 with bolt 9 .
  • the outer ring 8 is mounted on one end 4 a of the supporting table 4 with bolt 11 .
  • the cable 2 is drawn downward approximately vertically from the cable fixation table 3 , then wound two or three times in loop on the cable supporting table 4 , and further drawn out in an approximately horizontal direction through a ring guide 12 on the cable supporting table 4 .
  • the cubic body 7 rotates against shaft 6 and the outer ring 8 also rotates against the cubic body 7 , so that the cable supporting table 4 can swing three-dimensionally, which guarantees the cable 2 is able to move freely.
  • the cable 2 if the cable 2 is not wound in a loop on the cable supporting table 4 , it is swung excessively. An inordinate tension is put on the cable 2 , or the cable 2 is forced to be bent at a sharp angle. Therefore, it has become unavoidable to wind the cable in a loop on the supporting table 4 .
  • the cable 2 is wound in a loop on the cable supporting table 4 , and the cable supporting table 4 is swinging.
  • the cable 2 is apt to be damaged due to frictional contact between the cable and the cable supporting table.
  • the cable 2 is apt to be twisted at the looped portion, so that a lead in the cable can be broken.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above problem and provides a ball joint for guiding a cable which guarantees a smooth movement of the cable, thereby contributing greatly to increase the endurance of the cable.
  • a ball joint comprises a ball and an outer ring coupled with the cubic surface of the ball, which is supported by a stationary retainer. Said ball is pierced with a cable insertion hole which has an widened portion shaped like a horn toward one opening as a guide member provided adjacently to the ball for guiding a cable inserted in this insertion hole.
  • the ball joint for cable guide thus constructed, by guiding a cable through the ball under the outer ring and inside the guide member which is in communication with the ball, the free movement of the cable is guaranteed because the ball and the guide member follow the movement of the cable in unitary manner.
  • the cable since the cable is guided along the inside and horn-like face of the guide member, it can be prevented from bending at a sharp angle or twisting.
  • a hollow shaft having screw threads at its end can be inserted in the cable insertion hole of the ball and connected by being screwed in the guide member, thereby those are made in a unit, and the hollow portion of the hollow shaft can be used as a cable guide path.
  • the retainer is configured as a housing. At the top where the outer ring supporting member is disposed and on the side of the retainer an outlet is provided for taking out the cable drawn out from the guide member. In this case, by engaging the guide member with the side of the retainer, a turning angle of the cubic body can be limited.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ball joint for cable guide of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded and sectional view showing the ball joint.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the operational structure of the ball joint.
  • FIG. 4 is a side view showing the structure and the manner of using a conventional ball joint for cable guide.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show a ball joint for cable guide as an embodiment of the present invention.
  • reference numeral 20 designates a retainer housing. It is positioned on a stand 21 in an upside-down manner and fixed thereon by making use of a flange 22 provided around an opening peripheral of the box with bolts.
  • the upside-down bottom 20 a of the retainer has a conical shape.
  • a recessed portion (an outer ring supporting portion) 24 for supporting an outer ring 23 to be coupled spherically with the cubic surface of the cubic body 22 is provided.
  • the recessed portion 24 is formed large enough to completely accommodate the outer ring 23 .
  • the outer ring 23 is coupled with the recessed portion 24 by being clamped between the bottom of the recessed portion 24 and a holding plate 26 mounted on the retainer 20 with bolts 25 .
  • the cubic body 22 and the outer ring 23 are sub-assembled to become unitary, and where the outer ring 23 is coupled with the recessed portion 24 , one portion of the cubic body 22 is adapted to be exposed through openings 24 a , 26 a (FIG. 2) provided in the bottom of the recessed portion 24 and the holding plate 26 .
  • a pair of flat portions 27 , 28 parallel with each other are formed, and through these flat portions 27 , 28 and the cubic body 22 , a piercing hole (cable insertion hole) 29 is provided (FIG. 2 ).
  • a conically shaped guide member 31 and a hollow shaft 32 are provided to clamp the cubic body 22 in a unitary manner.
  • the guide member 31 has an interior guide hole 30 which is shaped like a horn.
  • the hollow shaft 32 has a stepped portion 37 .
  • the hollow shaft 32 comprises a large diameter portion 33 which is a little larger than the diameter of the piercing hole 29 and a small diameter portion 34 having a diameter a little smaller than the pierced hole 29 .
  • the end of that small diameter portion 34 is formed with male screw portion 35 .
  • a connection portion of the guide member 31 to the cubic body 22 is formed with a female screw portion 36 which is screwed with the male screw portion 35 , whereby, in the piercing hole 29 of the cubic body 22 , the small diameter portion 34 is inserted and the female portion 36 of the guide member 31 , is lifted up until it abuts to the lower flat portion 27 of the cubic body 22 .
  • the hollow shaft 32 is descended until the stepped portion 37 between the large diameter portion 33 and the small diameter portion 34 of the hollow shaft 32 touch the upper flat portion 28 of the cubic body 22 .
  • the guide member 31 and the hollow shaft 32 are rigidly assembled while clamping the cubic body 22 firmly in a unitary manner.
  • 38 designates a handle for turning the hollow shaft 32 at the time of assembling.
  • hollow shaft 32 has a diameter which is a little larger than the diameter of the cable 40 .
  • This hollow shaft 32 as described above, is extended to the inner side of the guide member 31 through the piercing hole 29 of the cubic body 22 . Accordingly, the cable 40 is enabled to be drawn out vertically through the hollow shaft 32 , the cubic body 22 and the guide member 31 .
  • an outlet 41 for taking out the cable 40 is provided on one side wall of the retainer 20 .
  • the cable 40 drawn out downward from the guide member 31 is adapted to be drawn out horizontally making use of this outlet 41 while changing its drawn out direction approximately 90 degrees.
  • a bushing 42 made of rubber or plastic is provided to act as a damper.
  • an assembly pre-assembled with the cubic body 22 and the outer ring 23 is coupled with the recessed portion 24 of the top of the retainer 20 .
  • the holding plate 26 is mounted on the top end of the retainer 20 with bolts 25 to fix the assembly in position.
  • the small diameter portion 34 of the hollow shaft 32 is inserted in the piercing hole 29 of the cubic body 22 , and by screwing the male screw portion 35 of the top end of the small diameter portion 34 in the female portion 36 of the guide member 31 , the guide member 31 and the hollow shaft 32 are united while clamping the cubic body 22 , and thereby the assembly of the ball joint is finished.
  • the cable 40 is inserted in the hollow shaft 32 from the top, drawn out down the guide member 31 , bent along the inner surface (right face) of the guide hole 30 configured like a horn and taken out horizontally from the cable outlet 41 of the retainer 20 by changing the drawn out direction at approximately 90 degrees from the vertical direction.
  • the cubic body 22 rotates within the outer ring 23 , thereby the guide member 31 and the hollow shaft 32 swing in a unitary manner and free movement of the cable 40 is guaranteed. Then, since the cable 40 is bent along the inner surface of the horn configured guide hole 30 of the guide member 31 , the cable is never bent at a sharp angle or twisted, and thereby damage of the cable 40 or of the leads inside the cable is prevented. In this embodiment in particular, since the cable 40 is supported by the hollow shaft 32 also in the upper side of the cubic body 22 , the cable 40 does not come in contact with the holding plate 26 around the cubic body 2 and the outer ring 23 .
  • the bushing 42 of the outlet 41 or cable 40 may be omitted, but in this case, it is to be considered to chamfer the edge (right face) of the outlet 41 for preventing the cable 40 from being hung thereon.
  • the cable is able to move smoothly without setting it in loop, and damage of the cable or the lead in the cable can be avoided in advance to improve the endurance of the cable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
US09/375,155 1999-04-08 1999-08-16 Ball joint for a cable Expired - Fee Related US6213674B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11-101310 1999-04-08
JP11101310A JP2000291626A (ja) 1999-04-08 1999-04-08 ケーブル案内用ボールジョイント

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6213674B1 true US6213674B1 (en) 2001-04-10

Family

ID=14297249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/375,155 Expired - Fee Related US6213674B1 (en) 1999-04-08 1999-08-16 Ball joint for a cable

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6213674B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP1043508B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP2000291626A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE69924703T2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES2237005T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SG (1) SG85672A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020064419A1 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-05-30 Constructions Brevetees D'alfortville Cba Joint for ball-bearing control
US20070015395A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2007-01-18 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Mistake-proof cable assembly
US20070025061A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2007-02-01 Yazaki Corporation Fastening device of harness for supplying power to sliding door and power supply structure employing it
US20070034134A1 (en) * 2005-07-25 2007-02-15 Stephen Carlton Mounting System and Method for Rigidly Attaching a Water Sports Towing Frame to a Vessel
US20090121093A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2009-05-14 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd Cable Supporting Device
US20100196085A1 (en) * 2009-02-04 2010-08-05 A VerMedia Information, Inc. Ball Joint Structure
CN103244550A (zh) * 2013-05-27 2013-08-14 南京万德游乐设备有限公司 一种钢丝绳万向调节结构
CN106048882A (zh) * 2016-05-31 2016-10-26 安徽省安国渔具有限公司 一种渔网编织机用导向装置
CN107872034A (zh) * 2017-12-07 2018-04-03 重庆创软科技有限公司 便于固定睡眠监测系统导线的设备
US9963092B2 (en) * 2015-10-13 2018-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Electrical wire routing apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2577518A (en) * 2018-09-26 2020-04-01 Jdr Cable Systems Ltd Termination assembly

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2140426A (en) * 1936-10-09 1938-12-13 Walter D Hodson Lubricating wire rope
US3215405A (en) * 1962-11-06 1965-11-02 Breeze Corp Fleet angle control device
US5570611A (en) * 1995-07-12 1996-11-05 Teleflex, Inc. Core terminal for motion-transmitting remote control assembly
US5862711A (en) * 1994-11-18 1999-01-26 Shimano, Inc. Apparatus for sealing a bicycle control cable
US5911790A (en) * 1997-12-05 1999-06-15 Teleflex Corporation Replaceable snap-in end fitting for a cable control

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT217051Z2 (it) * 1989-05-12 1991-10-29 Iveco Fiat Cavo flessibile provvisto di conne tori di estremita di tipo perfezio nato
FR2678030B1 (fr) * 1991-06-19 1994-10-21 Peugeot Dispositif de fixation d'une gaine flexible dans une paroi.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2140426A (en) * 1936-10-09 1938-12-13 Walter D Hodson Lubricating wire rope
US3215405A (en) * 1962-11-06 1965-11-02 Breeze Corp Fleet angle control device
US5862711A (en) * 1994-11-18 1999-01-26 Shimano, Inc. Apparatus for sealing a bicycle control cable
US5570611A (en) * 1995-07-12 1996-11-05 Teleflex, Inc. Core terminal for motion-transmitting remote control assembly
US5911790A (en) * 1997-12-05 1999-06-15 Teleflex Corporation Replaceable snap-in end fitting for a cable control

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020064419A1 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-05-30 Constructions Brevetees D'alfortville Cba Joint for ball-bearing control
US20070025061A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2007-02-01 Yazaki Corporation Fastening device of harness for supplying power to sliding door and power supply structure employing it
US7645938B2 (en) * 2003-03-14 2010-01-12 Yazaki Corporation Wiring harness fastening device for electric supply line of sliding door and electric supply system utilizing the same
US20070015395A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2007-01-18 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Mistake-proof cable assembly
US7703270B2 (en) 2005-07-15 2010-04-27 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Cable connection for a gas turbine engine safety fuel shut-off mechanism
US20070034134A1 (en) * 2005-07-25 2007-02-15 Stephen Carlton Mounting System and Method for Rigidly Attaching a Water Sports Towing Frame to a Vessel
US7302907B2 (en) 2005-07-25 2007-12-04 Correct Craft, Inc. Mounting system and method for rigidly attaching a water sports towing frame to a vessel
US7861508B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2011-01-04 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Cable supporting device
US20090121093A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2009-05-14 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd Cable Supporting Device
US20100196085A1 (en) * 2009-02-04 2010-08-05 A VerMedia Information, Inc. Ball Joint Structure
CN103244550A (zh) * 2013-05-27 2013-08-14 南京万德游乐设备有限公司 一种钢丝绳万向调节结构
CN103244550B (zh) * 2013-05-27 2015-07-08 南京万德游乐设备有限公司 一种钢丝绳万向调节结构
US9963092B2 (en) * 2015-10-13 2018-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Electrical wire routing apparatus
CN106048882A (zh) * 2016-05-31 2016-10-26 安徽省安国渔具有限公司 一种渔网编织机用导向装置
CN106048882B (zh) * 2016-05-31 2018-02-06 安徽省安国渔具有限公司 一种渔网编织机用导向装置
CN107872034A (zh) * 2017-12-07 2018-04-03 重庆创软科技有限公司 便于固定睡眠监测系统导线的设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2000291626A (ja) 2000-10-20
EP1043508A2 (en) 2000-10-11
DE69924703T2 (de) 2006-03-09
DE69924703D1 (de) 2005-05-19
ES2237005T3 (es) 2005-07-16
EP1043508B1 (en) 2005-04-13
SG85672A1 (en) 2002-01-15
EP1043508A3 (en) 2001-06-20

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Owner name: MINEBEA CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SASAKI, GEN;FUJINO, MAKOTO;REEL/FRAME:010191/0274

Effective date: 19990812

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STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

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Effective date: 20090410